The latest research reporting no benefit for breast cancer reoccurrence seems flawed. They did not report what type or sources of vegetables and fruit the subjects ate. Here at Cypress Natural Medicine we understand that all plants are not created equal. Veggies with higher lignin’s and higher cancer fighting elements like the sulfonamides found in broccoli can produce greater anti-cancer benefits.

The second flaw we noted was that levels of organic fruits and vegetables consumed was not listed. Pesticides are well documented to be breast cancer promoters and just by increasing the amounts of pesticides in the women could help to promote cancer as the veggies were fighting the cancer. Pesticide free, vine ripened, canned verses fresh are all important factors to the quality of the food we are consuming. These are all important elements when trying to fight cancer with fruit and veggies.

This is not a study to say that fruit and veggies don’t prevent cancer in first place. This is about reoccurrence of breast cancer not cancer prevention. The fabulous flavinoids in our fruit and vegetables are widely shown to prevent cancer by protecting our cells and increasing our immune system but the quality is just as important as the quantity.

In this study design the subjects were counting all sources of plant life including canned, microwaves, non organic sources. This is a flaw in the information. This may not be due to the fruits and vegetable not doing the job but instead the many factors that increase quality in our foods. . There is such a wealth of research on the fabulous effects of our plant based diets that plants should remain the major basis for every day eating.

The lesson of this study is the importance that not all fruits and veggies are created equal. Here are some guidelines for getting the most out of your fruit and veggie eating:

1. Choose organic whenever possible. Pesticides are associated with cancer. No reason to cancel out the effects of your healthy eating.

2. Shop at your local farmers market. Local vine ripened plants are higher nutrition because they are fresher.

3. Eat a majority of fresh, lightly steamed or sautéed veggies

4. Eat the rainbow of colors. Choose vibrant colors and at least 5 colors to explore each day. The health protective factors are in the color and flavor molecules of our plants.

5. Eat a wide variety of fresh fruits and veggies. There are over 300,000 different types of edible plants. Start exploring new colors and flavors.

For more research on the importance of fruit and vegetables in your diet and to find out about a simple way to get your servings visit www.fruitveggiehealth.com.

SOURCES: Touillaud, M. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, March 21, 2007; vol 99: pp 475-496. News release, Journal of the National Cancer Institute.